The man is a dope for trying to say that its "good for the game". In no way does this help the NBA or Kobe. It can only hurt them as one of the so called "good guys" is in trouble. Mark Cuban does have a small point in the freak show nature of America but not with good people gone bad and not with rape involved. Mike Tyson is a whole diffrent animal in a whole diffrent sport. Boxing is a violent crupt world, basketball is not suposed to be like that. Mike Tyson is a freak show, Kobe Bryant a huge mistake. Cuban should have thought this through before he said it, oh wait its Cuban.

With each passing day, Mark Cuban continues to follow the path of Ted Turner during his 'Mouth of the South' days in the 70's and 80's. True, Cuban has yet to name himself coach of the Mavericks, as Turner attempted to become manager of the Braves in the 70's, but he has filled the loudmouth role of Uncle Ted well. Perhaps this means there is validity to Cuban being interested in putting money in wrestling.

I think Mark Cuban is looking at things a little backwards, though I can see where he's coming from. Kobe's merchandise is selling a little better now than it was before this case came out according to some people, so to him that probably translates the case being good for the league. I guess it's natural for media exposure of any kind to spur sales of a likeness. As for this having any actual benefit to the league itself or the game, there's no way. Two scenarios:

1. Kobe is found guilty. I don't think anyone could argue that this is good for the game, so I'll move on to...

2. Kobe is acquitted. Now, in order to assume that this case is benefitial to the league you have to conclude that Kobe will carry a stigma with him as a result. That stigma will turn some people off, the same sort of people who have turned the game off since the Michael Jordans and Karl Malones of the world have been phased out and replaced by gun-toting thugs like Iverson and the stoners in Portland. The extra merchandise sales and revenue that Kobe is generating now will stop once he's out of the news, unless the NBA decides to start using Kobe's adultery and sexual assault charge specifically in their ads. I'm sure we can all agree on what the backlash would be in that case. I don't think I need to get into what, say, the league's advertisers would think of that.

Kobe's case is increasing the NBA's exposure right now, that's for sure. Bryant himself undoubtedly has a higher profile as well. With the state of the league as it is now, though, this is hardly the exposure or profile they're looking for.

Originally posted by BigVitoMarkbr>Kobe's case is increasing the NBA's exposure right now, that's for sure.

Wrong. Kobe was allready known by everyone in america and most of the world. The NBA is known by everyone in america and most of the world. In no way will this get people to tune in to a non Lakers game. Sure there may be a slight increase in Lakers ratings but you could also say that its from Malone and GP. In the end this only hurts the NBA and Kobe as they lose one guy who was marketed a certin way.

I think that was the point I was making. The NBA's exposure is up RIGHT NOW, because it's the off season and otherwise wouldn't be a top story. Exposure isn't necessarily a good thing. Ray Lewis, for example, gained a lot of exposure when he was brought up on murder charges, but I'm sure if you ask him he'd say it was exposure he could have done without.

Here's the thing, however......Kobe, while losing himself a lot of fans, is also probably solidifying some fans in the "I heart Kobe and I KNOW he couldn't have done this" camp, and probably gaining a few more in the "here's the media and cops trumping a charge against a famous black athlete" camp. My brother, for example, believes 100% that the woman is merely looking to get a cash settlement, and even bought a 'Free Kobe' t-shirt in support of one of his favourite players.

Edited for no particular reason to add that my brother is also the biggest front-runner of all time (he loved the Bulls during their run).